T he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has thwarted an attempt to export a consignment of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, to the United Kingdom. The psychoactive substance, weighing 3.50 kilograms, was discovered concealed in a duvet at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
In a statement released on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi disclosed that Austin Balogun, the agent behind the operation, admitted to hiring Sunday Adakole to handle the shipment. Balogun revealed he received ₦700,000 for the job but used a significant portion for personal expenses, including securing accommodation.
Raids in Lagos Lead to Multiple Arrests
In another operation, NDLEA operatives raided a hideout in the Igbo Olumo area of Ikorodu, Lagos, leading to the arrest of two suspects, Joseph Adewale and Biodun Adelakun. Recovered items included seven litres of skuchies—a new psychoactive concoction of black currant, cannabis, and opioids—along with a cache of arms:
- Three locally made double-barrel rifles
- One locally made double-barrel pistol
- One English-made pistol
- One single-barrel rifle
- Three cartridges and an empty 9mm cartridge
- An iron-head axe
Further action in Lagos’ notorious Akala area of Mushin led to the seizure of 47kg of skunk (a potent cannabis strain) and 25.46kg of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas.
Arrests and Seizures Across Other States
Ekiti State: On January 23, NDLEA officers arrested 26-year-old Adepoju Taiwo in Ado-Ekiti with 1.950kg of Canadian Loud, a high-grade cannabis strain.
Kwara State: Auwal Sani was apprehended on January 20 in Moro Local Government Area with 50,000 tramadol pills (225mg), weighing 36.56kg.
Kano State: In a series of operations:
- A cannabis plantation in Dawakin Kudu council was destroyed, with 45-year-old Sabo Ali Muhammad arrested in connection to the farm.
- In Gadar Tamburawa, operatives arrested Nigerien national Abubakar Lami, 45, alongside Abba Sani, 35, and Auwal Aliyu, 32, recovering 13.1kg of skunk and 125 litres of “suck and die,” another emerging psychoactive substance.
NDLEA’s Commitment to Drug Control
The NDLEA continues its efforts to dismantle drug networks and suppress criminal activities associated with narcotics. Speaking on the latest busts, Babafemi reiterated the agency’s commitment to ensuring a drug-free society while urging citizens to report suspicious activities to authorities.
The series of arrests and seizures highlight the growing complexity of the drug trade and the agency’s relentless resolve to curb its spread across Nigeria. Investigations into these cases are ongoing.
LAGOS, NIGERIA (GLiDE NEWS)
0 Comments